Internal-combustion engine.



R. L. FROST. v INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED APR. 16,1908.

Patefited Nov. 23, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

R. L. FROST. INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED APBJB, 1908.

Patanted Nov. 23, 1909.

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2 SHEETS-SHEET .2.

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RICHARD L, 53051", 03 JACKSGN, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOB OF ONE FOURTH TO WILLARD C. LZlfifiN, 3F JAGKSGIST, lMIGHIG-AN, AND ONE-EIGHTH TO GEORGE '1. HOMEIER, OF

FLINT, MICHIGAN.

INTEBNIaL-COMBUSTION ENGINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Rrcrrann L. FROM, a citizen of the United States'of America, residing at Jackson, in the county of Jackson and State of Michigan, have invented certain row and useful Improvements in Internal- Uombustion Engines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to internal combustion engines and consists generally in the novel means for controlling the combustion.

More specifically, the invention consists in the construction whereby the elements of the combustible mixture are separately compressed and are ignited either automatically or by an i i iter when commingled; further, in a construction lvherein the elements of the combustible mixture are compressed in separate cylinders of the engine and are ignited by placing said cylinders in communication each other; further, in the means Wll1- by element compressed in one cylinder is ejected therefrom into another cylinder cont ining the cooperating element, the expand- 3 seeds products of combustion being utilboth cylinders for the development of power; and, further, in the peculiar construction, arrangement and combination of parts as hereinafter set forth.

in the drawings ldigure 1 is a diagrammatic vertical longitudinal section through engine embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a transverse-section therethrough; Fig. 3

is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating a modifled construction.

In the present state of the art of internal combustion engines, it is usual to compress the combustible mixture of the gases in the cylinder in which it is subsequently exploded, ignition being effected by an electric spark or equivalent means. With my invention the elements of the combustible mixture are separately compressed, and are then commingled, ignition being preferably effected automatically u' on' commingling. Thus I am enabled to o tain a high degree of compression Without danger of preignition.

1 preferably embody my invention in a construction of the four-cycle type, although it may be applicablefto other cycles and, as shown, Agond B are two engine cylinders containing respectively the pistons G and D Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 16, 1998.

Patented liov. 23, 19139.

Serial No. 427,497.

connected by the pitman rods E and F with the cranks G and H of the crank shaft 1. J and J are admission valves for the respective cylinders, and K and K are the exhaust valves thereof. In addition to these valves, another valve L is arranged to control a communicating port or passage M between the cylinders A and B, and this valve is timed in its movement by suitable mechanism which, as shown, includes a cam N on a cam shaft 0 driven from the crank shaft I by a two-to-onc gearing P; also a rod Q and lever B which latter operates the valve.

The admission valves J and J for the respective cylinders control the separate admission of the uncommingled elements for the combustible mixture As shown, the valve J controls the admission of gas or hydrocarbon vapor into the cylinder B, while the valve J controls the admission of air into the cylinder A, This admission occurs on the suction stroke of each of the pistons G and D, and upon the return stroke the gases thus admitted are highly compressed in their respective cylinders. The

valve L is then operated to throw the two cylinders into communication, and to permit a commingling of the compressed gases,

and by reason of the high heat of compres sion in conjunction with the heat retained by the engine cylinders from a previous explosion ignition instantaneously takes place, the gases commiugle. hus the timing of the combustion may be effected merely by the operation of the valve L and Without the use of any igniter.

In order that the gaseous elements separatelymcmprcssed maybe thoroughly commingled during combustion, 1- preferably so organize the engine that the element com pressed in one cylinder will be ejected therefrom, after the opening of the valve L, and admitted to the other cyliuden This, as illustrated in Fig. 1, is accomplished by placing the crank u slightlv in advance of the crank ll, and thus the upstroke of the piston (I is completed in advance of that of the piston D.

The valve L is then opened,

piston D in the cjvlin "er E he 1T1l3'ilfl3ll so that practically all the con c hinder 1s expelled. ""n the 01m 7 t e cyllnde's A smile exit clezuzmu 1D pmvidetl to hald lhe cemm'cised. rnlumo of air after the 15215 351 U l 3 chad its 111 best joint 0i: travel. B 1: 1115mmment, the gas or hmlrccarben mm compressed 111 ill; cylinder E3 18 filflfil'fili; ism-ml into the cylinder A, where i 20!}. assures,

but is z etumed claim upon the piston D as Well as me combusiimi L -L penile piston C. In 1 19'. 3 the cylmuers A l passage thereof, 31"

Jd upon the comminglmg valve for closing during the sepam e Emma ments and tin valva to (93ft wmzziingling 2, In an 1 ernal ct plurality (i cyli 49 mua'iicaticn mmpr-i; f'c

nqziigmli mixture 1 audio? L .113" e cylinder iiim the Qllll ting off communica," ders during the con L anil fur establi liing urea (31 therebetween during the comma on nu 50 mixture whereby pow-e;- is dwelcyeil in will cylinders.

, 3. In an internal comlmsbien plnraliyty of cylinclers having means of cormnunimtion Witn each other, means for compressing air in the larger cylinder and a sepnralely nonigi itible gaseous fuel in the smai' cylincle and means for cutting off communicatisn "tween said cylinders during cnmpression of the coijpemting elements, for finally glazing said cylinders in conmfimicution to permiw the ejection of the comfiressed gas into the con'ipi-essed air cylinder, and for maiiwiinina free conununicaiuion batween sai c 7 1 Ef'ltl cylinelements (la s during the combustien 0f the gases wl ereby power 15% developed in. each I? an"; internal. combusition e idea's of iilil mail shun 1" the smaller cyLidar, timed means cutting oiifcmmnunication Between said cylii dars during the cmnpressiim the 6061mm 1g s, place said cylinders inm mmmuim flmnce 0f the cmnpleticil the S 35. 1 smaller cy of the gum ln an sepai'ziceiy '011 Qngine,

(if {i Lal'ljlli capacities,

, on W" li each ollm, ssiiig in the lm-gmr linmlvr find ,epzu'atciy nonigiliti- Ml l in the smaller cylinder, 2. m .N- communicatian between sz: l. mechanism for operating \Ul valve 0 close the S21 the c0mion of the caiipei'arting elements and. "J0 lit the ejectien of the L ass-ed o L air cylinder, marl to in: I m during the COiillJllSilOil of the gases Wllfi'ifibj/ power is developed in 00th cylinders. a In an ill" ml comlmsiion, 'engine, 2i plurality of (:ylimle 01 ill'i i ilel'ill I in which air and gassmls fuel. a1" ("OIHIH'QSSQLL the z'gaz of said cyl ndei's being provided with a clearance sm- 3 01 the compressed plunge and the snmller cylinder having its clearance reduced to the minimum, pistons in sziicl cylimlei-s, fl ep ston for tha larger being in mlxrance 01' film p 011 for the smaller cylinder, a valve controlling 

